Heat transfer device



Feb. 11V, 1941. .F. n. GoLL HEAT TRANSFER DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed May 12, 1958 Feb. 11, 1941. F. DIGOLL HEAT TRANSFER DEVICE Filed May 12, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 V y y INVENTOR. FRANK D. 60u..

Z ATTORNEY.

Patented Feb. 1.1, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Aluminum Company of America, Pittsburgh,

Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application May 12, 1938, Serial No. 207,492

4 Claims.

This invention relates generally to heat transfer devices and particularly to a device by which heat is to be transmitted by conduction. Specifically the invention is for a cooling or refrigerating apparatus adapted to function in conjunction with a metallic liquid container such as, for example, a metal beer barrel.

A very real problem is presented in cooling beer in order that it be refreshing and palatable. In the past, when wooden barrels were generally used, it was the usual practice, upon removal of the barrels from cold storage, to place the barrels in ice, thereby necessitating considerable time and effort with -consequential expense. With the advent of the more modern metal barrel, various means and methods were employed for cooling the liquid contents of the barrel. Generally this was accomplished by drawing the contents of the barrel through a refrigerated coil or by introducing a refrigerated coil into the barrel. Both of these methods are not without limitation and both certainly introduce the important point of lthe necessity for cleanliness.

In the practice of the present invention, many of the undesirable features attendant with the use of such apparatus as above referred to are obviated, in view of the fact that once the liquid contents are placed in the barrel they remain there, except as withdrawn for consumption, there being no introduction of cooling apparatus into the barrel itself or no lengthy transmission of the beer through refrigerating coils.

The object of this invention is to provide a cooling or refrigerating unit which answers the desideratum for efficient heat withdrawal in minimum time, is easily and quickly assembled, and affords a unitary construction possessing mobility.

These and other objects of invention will further appear from the following description and the accompanying drawings illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention in which:

Fig. 1 is a side view in section showing a metallic container in dotted outline;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view; and

Fig. 3 is a view taken online III-III of Fig. 1.

As shown in the drawings, the cooling unit is preferably cylindrical in shape, with its inner surface conforming generally to the contour of the barrel which it receives. The diameter of relative portions of the inner surface of the cooler is somewhat greater than the diameter of like portions of the barrel for a reason to be disclosed later. With reference to the drawings, I represents the inner bottom of a hollow receptacle-like structure whose inner wall 2 extends upwardly (Cl. (i2-144) and gradually outwardly. The upper ends of wall 2 are reversed through an arc of appreciable radius and extend downwardly to form the outer wall 3, the lowermost extremity of which in turn is curved upwardly as shown by reference character 4. An outer bottom 5 is secured preferably by Welding to the inner surface of the wall 3. It is to be understood that the structure thus far described may be fabricated from any of the well known metals or alloys, and likewise the structure may be lcast or formed from sheet metal as by drawing, the latter being preferable.

As best shown in Fig. 1, the space between the inner and outer Abottoms I and 5 and the inner and outer Walls 2 and 3 is hollow and provides a space for the reception of a circulator means 6 and a confined area for the circulation of a cooling medium therethrough. While the preferred form of my cooler has been shown as being hollow and formed from sheetmetal with a circulator means 6 inserted between the inner and outer bottoms l and 5, it will be understood that in cast form, the same hollow structure may be obtained as well as a solid structure having a circulator means similar to the one shown or other means for circulatory purposes cast integral therewith. 'I'he cooler will work with equal eiciency if no circulator means is employed, such as for example, might be preferable if it is desired to use a gaseous cooling medium under pressure.

The circulator means 6 may be of any desired form but in the preferred embodiment shown it assumes the shape of a spiral formed from flat stock. Portions of the convolutions of the spiral are removed for the reception of an inlet pipe 1 which passes through and is secured to the convolutions. One end of the pipe 'l is at or near the center of the spiral, while the other end extends through the outer wall 3 and an appreciable distance beyond it. Inlet pipe l is joined to outer wall 3 preferably by welding, as is outlet pipe 8 which is located near the top of the cooler. It is to be understood that the means for introducing the cooling medium may be positioned at places other than that shown` in the drawings, such as for example, entering through the outer bottom 5 at or near the center of the device. It willV thus be appreciated that a cooling medium introduced through pipe l will be discharged at or near the center of the circulator means 6, and thence will flow outwardly between the convolutions of the circulator means until it lls the space between the inner and outer walls 2 and 3, the excess cooling medium continually passing out via outlet pipe 8. This structure permits a continuous rotative movement of the cooling medium which in turn withdraws heat from the contents of the barrel, thereby forming a cold 5 layer within and along the bottom of the barrel and up the sides of the barrel for an appreciable distance. This cold layer within the barrel forms quite rapidly and, of course, builds up in proportion to the time which the cooling medium l is circulated through the cooler.

It has been stated that this invention relates to heat transfer -by conduction. I have provided a novel means for, and method of, effecting this type of heat transfer which is now to be further 15 described.

With reference had to Fig. 1, it will be noted that the portion of the barrel which tswithin the cooler is of appreciable lesser diameters throughout various planes parallel to the bottom of the barrel than the diameters of the inner wall 2 for respective positions. With the barrel in position within the cooler, a pocket 9 is formed between the outer surface of the barrel wall and the inner surface of the cooler wall 2. A lm of fluid, preferably water, is placed within this pocket. This pocket also serves to catch any condensate which might form on the barrel, any excess passing out the overflow pipe I0, Iwhich passes through the cooler walls 2 and 3, and which is joined thereto preferably by welding.

In cooling the ycontents of a barrel having heads similar to those shown in the barrel in the drawings, it may be desirable, but not necessary, to provide means for the removal of any air which might be present between inner bottom I of the cooler and the depressed portion of the barrel head. By way of example only, one form of such means is shown at II, and consists of a conduit or small pipe which extends from directly under o the barrel head down through the cooler bottom I, along and within intake pipe 'I, up through cooler bottom I, and between inner and outer walls Z and 3 of the cooler, and thence through inner cooler wall 2 into pocket 9, as shown in Fig. 45 1. It will be appreciated that as the fluid lls this space, the air will escape through the bleeder means ll into pocket 9, where it will then pass oif into the atmosphere yaround the barrel.

The barrel and the 4cooler unit are enclosed 50 within a substantially cylindrical encasing shell, which is preferably sheet metal. This serves not only to protect the barrel and cooler from dirt, but also functions as an insulating means. The cylindrical shell I2 is slot-ted to pass over the ttings l, 8 and I0. At the bottom of the shell the sheet metal is turned back upon itself to form a substantial bead I3 for stiffening purposes. Joined to the top of the shell I2, preferably by welding, and forming a part thereof, is a member Ill having a removable cover I5. The cover I5 is provided with an opening IS which permits easy accessibility to the end fitting of thebarrel. The cover, of course, is provided with a handle Il. The cover may be cast but is preferably drawn sheet metal and extends over the bead I8 as shown. It is understood that other means for securing the cover I 5 to member I4 may be employed, and that the manner just described is by way of example only. An insulator I9, preferably rubber, and of the form shown, is placed between members 4 and I3. This serves to prohibit any metal to metal contact between these members, thereby further insulating theenclosed barrel and cooler.

The entire assembly may be moved easily by virtue of being mounted on a plurality of caster units 2|] which are joined to the outer bottom 5, preferably by welding. If the unit is kept beneath a counter, the provision of casters makes it particularly easy to move as, for example, when it is desired to replace an empty barrel.

The heat within the barrel is drawn through the barrel wall and the iiuid which has been placed in pocket 9, and thence into the cooling medium within the cooler, and out the overflow pipe 8. By thi-s manner, I have succeeded in extracting the heat from the barrel in a minimum of time, with the added advantage of positive action. It will thus be appreciated that I have provided a new and novel means for cooling the contents of a barrel solely by conduction.

I claim:

1. In combination with a metal container, a refrigerating device `adapted to receive said container and comprising an inner and outer bottom and upstanding inner and outer walls, said walls being formed 'from a continuation of said inner bottom, -a circulator means positioned 'between said bottoms in the form of a spiral passage, a liquid retaining pocket surrounding said container and formed by said container and said inner wall, and means for introducing a cooling medium within said refrigerating device at a point substantially centrally of said spiral passage whereby said cooling medium is directed outwardly between the bottoms of said refrigerating device.

2. In combination with a metal barrel, a hollow, substantially receptacle-like refrigerating device adapted to receive a portion of and support said barrel, a pocket between the barrel and said device and being formed therefrom for the retention of a liquid, circulator means Within the base of said refrigerating device, and a cover surrounding said barrel and device and being insulated therefrom.

3. A heat transfer device comprising a hollow base and communicating upwardly extending hollow walls adapted to support and at least partially surround a portion of a receptacle the contents of which are to be cooled, a spirally formed passage within said hollow base, a coolant inlet connection substantially centrally of said base and spiral passage, and a coolant outlet connection in said upwardly extending hollow walls, whereby coolant introduced in the base is directed outwardly therethrough before discharge into `and out of the hollow walls of the cooling device.

4. A heat transfer device comprising a cuplike receptacle adapted to receive a barrel and support it on end, a pocket between said barrel and said receptacle for retention of a liquid, and means communicating with any dead air space between the end of the barrel and the receptacle for discharging entrapped air to permit entrance of liquid therebetween.

FRANK D. GOLL. 

